Release Detail

March 28, 2001 - Pataki Close To 50% Mark In Early Look At Gov Race,
Quinnipiac University Poll Finds;
Voters Approve Of Schumer 3 - 1, But Split On Clinton

Gov. George Pataki is close to the magic 50 percent mark in an early look at the 2002
reelection race against either State Comptroller H. Carl McCall or former HUD
Secretary Andrew Cuomo, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today.

In a Democratic primary Cuomo gets 40 percent to McCall's 33 percent, with 25
percent of Democrats undecided. In a February 14 poll by the independent Quinnipiac
University, Cuomo and McCall were tied 36 - 35 percent among Democrats.

From March 20 - 26, Quinnipiac University surveyed 1,353 New York State
registered voters, with a margin of error of +/- 2.7 percent. The survey includes 579
registered Democrats with a margin of error of +/- 4.1 percent.

"Andrew Cuomo is holding a slight edge among Democrats, but Gov. Pataki is
close to the magic 50 percent mark as the Republican candidate against either Cuomo or
McCall," said Maurice Carroll, director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute.

Voters approve 61 - 24 percent of the job Pataki is doing as governor. Except
for a 57 percent approval rating last month, Pataki has hit the 60 percent mark in every
Quinnipiac University poll since last May.

By a 48 - 16 percent margin, New York State voters have a favorable opinion of
Pataki, with 29 percent mixed and 6 percent saying they don't know enough to form an
opinion. Favorability ratings for other New York public figures are: